Deeper (The Real Fling) by Lyla Bellatas Read Free Book Online Page B

friend while skiing.” Val was in the kitchen. “Jackie hooked up with some guy, and they skied so fast I couldn’t catch them. Then I fell.” Her breath hitched. Why was she always fine until she heard her mom’s voice? It wasn’t this visceral with her dad, but with her mom it was instantaneous. “I’m sorry you were worried. I’m all right.” Adriana sat on the couch. “I’m so glad I don’t have to see her at work anymore.”
    “Oh, Ade, that’s awful. Are you sure you’re all right?”
    “Yeah, my shoulder’s bruised. I’ve been icing it ever since and it’s feeling better,” she lied.
    “Good.” Her mother sounded calmer. “What do you mean you won’t see her at work anymore?”
    Adriana hung her head. “Jackie got emailed the reorganization chart while we were at lunch today. Apparently, I’m being let go next week. Can you believe that? No promotion, Mom. Fired.”
    “Oh, honey. I’m sorry. It’ll be okay. Something else will come along. But where are you? Who’s this friend?” There was an edge to her mother’s voice. Adriana had to be careful. Her mom was a natural detective.
    Adriana scrabbled. “You don’t know her.” Val was by the glass doors. She scrunched her nose and gritted her teeth at him. He raised his brow and scratched his chin. “I know her from the gym. We take this dance class together.”
    He grunted.
    “She’s really nice.” Adriana winked at him. “Jackie’s probably going to hang with that guy she met anyway.”
    Val went outside.
    “I can’t believe she called you.”
    “She seemed worried. Said you didn’t answer your phone.”
    Adriana looked at the phone. “She didn’t call, but cell service is screwy up here. It didn’t ring until now. Did you call me before this?”
    “No.”
    “I’ll text her. Is Daddy okay?”
    Her mother chuckled. “He knew you were fine.” Adriana could almost see the happiness in her eyes. “He said it immediately. ‘She’s fine. She’s with friends.’”
    Adriana blinked a yes silently, then realized her mother couldn’t see her. “I am.”
    “Why don’t you come home?”
    “I can’t change my ticket. Too expensive.”
    “We’ll pay for it.”
    “No, Mom. I can’t let you do that after all you’ve given me. Besides I can’t get out of the mountains until the snow stops.”
    “I’m worried. I’d feel so much better if you got that shoulder looked at.”
    “Don’t be. I’m fine. Valerie knows a lot about injuries. She’s been taking good care of me.” Val was back inside, closing the sliding glass doors.
    “Honey, take the credit card number just in case.”
    “No. I’ll be fine. I’ll call you on Sunday when I’m back. Love you.”
    “Love you too, sweetie. Be careful.” They hung up.
    Adriana put the phone to her lips and paused. She’d lied and gotten away with it. Or had she? Her mother was pretty sharp. Maybe she knew and just let it be. She texted Jackie. Short and to the point. I’m fine. With friends. Have fun. Please don’t call my parents again. Thanks. Adriana dropped the phone on the end table. With shaky hands, she ran her fingers through her hair.
    Val was standing near her with the goofiest smirk on his face.
    She flicked her chin up at him, silently asking What?
    “Valerie?”

Chapter 4
    ‡
    The tub was bubbling and brewing with enthusiasm. Snowflakes pierced through the clouds of steam like shooting stars. Beyond the tub was a wall of evergreens which looked close enough to touch them. Towels waited under the eaves of the house on a cedar bench near the lit fire pit.
    Carefully, Adriana aligned her footsteps with Val’s, the snow squishing in between her tired toes felt surprisingly good. He stepped into the tub, which could have fit six to eight people comfortably, and clasped her waist.
    “I can get in,” she warned him.
    His brows drew together but his lips curled up a touch. “Are you really going to start that again?”
    What was the big deal? Let him